Czech Republic Names Final World Cup Roster

After calling the first 16 names in March, Czech Republic added another seven players for their World Cup of Hockey lineup earlier today. The seven players are Michal Jordan, Zbynek Michalek, Jakub Nakladal, Radek Faksa, Ales Hemsky, Dmitrij Jaskin and Michal Michalek. All the added players are from NHL teams, and since Michal Kempny signed with the Chicago Blackhawks earlier this month, Vladimir Sobotka will be the lone non-NHL player on the Team Czech Republic roster.

The Czechs will bring to Toronto pretty much their best roster, with the obvious lack of Jaromir Jagr, who decided against a World Cup participation, directly asking Team Czech Republic GM and former NHL forward Martin Rucinsky not to be called for the tournament.

The roster doesn’t seem on par with the likes of Canada or Russia, but can still cause some damage, especially if they will manage to get things going with some solid goaltending and team play. There are also a few very interesting names among the younger players that will guarantee a good generation shift for them, even if they aren’t able to repeat the turn-of-century success Czech Republic had some fifteen years ago, when they won the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan, and three straight gold medals at the IIHF World Championship. The Czechs will play their first World Cup game against Team Canada on Sept. 17.

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